Oct 6, 2013 3:26 PM

I'm one week away from my third half marathon (Long Beach, CA). This is a big deal for me - although am an experienced racer, I normally do shorter distances (5K/10K). I have trained 9 weeks to get from my 10K base up to half marathon distance, and fortunately it has gone like clockwork (knock on LOTS and LOTS of wood). So I have a question on race day pacing.

I've raced this particular half course twice before, in just over 2 hr each time (2:02:16 and 2:00:50). I am a few years older now, but have evidently lost no speed; if anything, the long training runs have gone a bit faster than before. So my goal is now to break 2 hr. The long run two weekends ago was 13.27 mi at 9:23 pace, total running time 2:04:27, net elevation gain/loss of 799 ft. Per Danielson's calculator, equivalent to 1:59:09 for a half with 80 ft net elevation gain/loss, which is roughly the Long Beach course. Final long run, this past weekend, was 14.16 mi, at 9:11 pace, total running time 2:10:10 with a net elevation gain/loss of 515 ft. Per Danielson's calculator, equivalent to 1:56:48 for a half with 80 ft elevation gain/loss. Both times, per the Garmin splits, no dragging in the final miles - in fact slight negative splits. So far so good.

My question: The half will have a 1:55 pace group, which would be a stretch goal and include race day incentive. However, I'm afraid to hang with them - I don't want to risk burning out early. Instead, my current race day plan is to hang with the 2:00 pace group for the first 6-7 mi and then slowly pull away on the first long straightaway starting at about mile 7. Alternatively, if I'm not quite ready at that point, instead slowly pull away on the final long straightaway (about the 10 mile mark). Does that sound reasonable?

I agree you have 1:55 in you on a good day. I would talk with the pacer if you can and see how hey plan to run the race. If it's sounds good go with it. On my best half's my 1st mile is all ways the slowest one, with my last two the fastest!

Thanks much Len and BOSNPM for the tips, and I'll track down the pace leader at the expo if they're there. Unfortunately I did not bookmark the link I'd found to the half marathon pace info, and the race's webpages only reference the marathon pace groups. Originally LB was going to have pace groups only for the marathon - with a recommendation that half marathoners use the marathon pacers fo rthe first 10.5 mi - till they remembered that this year, the marathon and half marathon start 90 min apart. LOL.

They're expecting between 10,000 and 14,000 half marathoners, so even with the wave start, mile 1 will probably be a bit slow. Will probably not know till the expo (Oct. 12) which wave I'm in.

Forecast (weather.gov) for Oct 13 is clear, no rain, with a high of 74 deg (i. e. 60's during the race). Granted the forecast can change in 6 days, but if that holds up, conditions should be quite good.

Well, no half marathon pacers at the expo. The full marathon pacers (sponsored by Clif) told me that the half pacers were just from a local running group. Not a problem, I've got my Garmin and pace wristband sk all bases covered. 13 hr to go!

All done - good fortune smiled on this race. Conditions were superb. Excellent weather, flat and fast course, and body at 100%. Finished in 1:54:31 and am bouncing off the walls, LOL. Thanks all again for your support!